For those looking to hear Irish music this March, the Opera House in Boothbay Harbor has two acclaimed Irish bands this spring. Dervish on Friday, March 13, will provide a rousing warm-up for fans of all things Irish, while Téada on Saturday, March 20, promises to bring the sound of an Irish pub session to the stage. Both shows start at 7:30 p.m.
Originating from County Sligo, Ireland, Dervish features some of Ireland’s finest traditional musicians, fronted by the renowned vocalist and bodhrán player Cathy Jordan. For more than three decades, this ensemble has been at the forefront of Irish music, receiving multiple BBC Lifetime Achievement Awards while captivating audiences worldwide with energetic performances and masterful musicianship. Dervish’s global appeal is evident in the group’s extensive touring history, including performances at major festivals including Rock in Rio — where they played to an audience of 250,000 — and Glastonbury. The band has also served as cultural ambassadors, accompanying Irish leaders on state visits and even performing an impromptu session on the Great Wall of China. They have 13 critically acclaimed albums and have collaborated with artists including Steve Earle, Rhiannon Giddens and Vince Gill.
In celebration of the first day of spring, Midcoast audiences have another opportunity to settle in for an evening of music that promises to bring the lively sounds of an Irish pub session to the historic Opera House stage. Téada, a band with a truly global reach, celebrates 25 years on the road this year. Acclaimed for its dynamic and deeply rooted approach to Irish traditional music, Téada has performed as a headliner at major festivals across North America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Australia. Career highlights include a 30,000-capacity concert in Brittany, alongside performances at the Penang World Music Festival (Malaysia), Edmonton Folk Festival (Canada), Harare International Festival of the Arts (Zimbabwe) and the Rainforest World Music Festival (Borneo). Recent highlights include performances at the Dublin Irish Festival, Savannah Music Festival and Montana Folk Festival (U.S.), as well as Festival Interceltique de Lorient (France) and the Irish Festival of Oulu (Finland). The band features fiddle, flute, button accordion, bouzouki, bodhran and piano. Téada is currently touring the U.S. with thanks to support from Culture Ireland.
Advance discounted tickets for Dervish are $30, and regular tickets are $35. Advance tickets for Téada are $25 and regular tickets are $30. Advance tickets are available directly from the box office at 86 Townsend Ave., Boothbay Harbor, or by calling 207-633-5159. The box office is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday through Friday. Regular tickets are available online at boothbayoperahouse.com and on the day of the performance at the door. Doors open at 7 p.m.